The Interchange of Translational and Vibrational Energy in an Asymmetric Molecular Potential Field

Abstract

Reflection coefficients are calculated for a matter wave in a parabolic channel and in a square channel, each channel closed at one end by a vertical plane tilted slightly from the normal to the axis of the channel. The number of collisions necessary to dissipate one quantum of vibrational energy is given in terms of λ=tanθ, where θ is the angular deviation of the plane end from the normal to the axis of the channel. Comparison with the data from measurements on sound dispersion shows good agreement for N₂O and CO₂. The temperature dependence of the average probability of transition per collision is compared with data for Cl₂ and a mixture of Cl₂ and CO.